Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/4.0.1/5.0 Frame privileges management

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/4.0.1/5.0. This impacts an unknown function of the component Frame Handler. This manipulation causes privileges management. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-1999-0488. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0/4.0.1/5.0 (Web Browser). Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Frame Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Internet Explorer 4.0 and 5.0 allows a remote attacker to execute security scripts in a different security context using malicious URLs, a variant of the "cross frame" vulnerability.

The issue has been introduced in 04/01/1997. The weakness was disclosed 04/21/1999 as MS99-012 as confirmed bulletin (Technet). The advisory is shared at microsoft.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-1999-0488. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 750 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k.

Applying the patch MS99-012 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at microsoft.com.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (2216) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-4257†). The entries VDB-14603 and VDB-14618 are pretty similar. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Web Browser

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• Internet Explorer

Version

• 4.0
• 4.0.1
• 5.0

License

• commercial

Support

• end of life

Website

• Vendor: https://www.microsoft.com/

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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